Chancellor Fire Department receives $3,600 LACF grant

The Chancellor Community Fire Department has received a $3,600 grant from the Lennox Area Community Fund (LACF) to purchase protective gear for a firefighter who recently joined the department.

The funding will be used to purchase a set of bunker pants, coat, helmet and boots, helping ensure the firefighter has properly fitting personal protective equipment (PPE) when responding to emergencies.

Chancellor Fire Chief Jeremy Nettifee submitted the grant application, outlining the department’s ongoing need to replace and update protective equipment as new firefighters join and existing gear reaches its expiration date.

“Through a combination of usage, expiration dates, and proper fitment, firefighter PPE constantly needs to be purchased, updated and replaced,” Nettifee stated in the application.

According to Nettifee, the department has welcomed several new firefighters over the past year, with many members completing certification courses and others expressing interest in additional training. Each firefighter requires properly fitting protective equipment, which can present a financial challenge for a volunteer department operating on a limited budget.

A basic set of bunker gear, including a coat, pants, helmet and boots, can cost several thousand dollars.

The firefighter who will receive the new equipment has already completed Firefighter I certification and intends to pursue Firefighter II certification as soon as a class becomes available. However, the gear currently available to him does not fit properly, potentially increasing the risk of injury while responding to an incident.

The department relies on a combination of budgeted funds and grants to purchase protective equipment, but rising costs have made it increasingly difficult to keep every firefighter properly outfitted.

In 2025, the department was able to provide 10 firefighters with new structural boots, improving protection from fire and heat while also providing better footing, support and stability in potentially hazardous situations.

Founded in 1905, the Chancellor Community Fire Department has served the community for more than 120 years, with a mission of preserving life and property through efficient and effective emergency response while demonstrating professionalism and making a positive impact within the community.

The department’s current roster includes Carter Benning, Cole Benning, Jamie Benning, Jamie Boomgarden, John Boysen, Robby Boysen, Brittnee Davis, Mark Davis, Matt Feist, Megan Feist, Jeremy Forrest, Casey Fraizer, Brian Hoogestraat, Clint Hostetler, Hunter Lottman, Chris Luden, Chris Ludens, Owen Ludens, Jeremy Nettifee, Brywn Ractliffe, Derek Severson, Aaron Skinner, Chad Smith, Terry Steever, Grant Van Riesen, Mitchell Vande Kamp and Aaron Wood.

The funding is part of LACF’s 2026 grant cycle, which supported 14 local organizations this year. Other recipients include Love INC, Lincoln County 4-H, EmBe, Lennox Fire Department, PACE, Junior Achievement South Dakota, Kind Kitchens, Lennox Area Historical Society, Lennox Community Library, Lennox Bands, Lennox Choral Department, Olde Towne Dinner Theatre and Worthing Fire Department.

Since 2004, LACF has supported nonprofit organizations in Lennox, Chancellor and Worthing through contributions from community donors. Those interested in learning more about the fund or contributing can visit lennoxareacommunityfund.org.

Local nonprofit organizations are also reminded that the annual deadline for LACF grant applications is in early August.

Next week’s edition will highlight additional grant recipients from this year’s funding cycle.